Published on: March 24, 2026, 11:39h.
Updated on: March 24, 2026, 11:39h.
- Governor Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey remains noncommittal about a smoke-free policy for Atlantic City casinos.
- The governor advocates for a resolution through the New Jersey Legislature.
- Casino employees argue that their rights as citizens are being compromised.
New Jersey’s Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) aims for the state Legislature to resolve the smoking issues in Atlantic City casinos within this year.
A grassroots initiative, known as CEASE (Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects), has long campaigned for a smoke-free environment in Atlantic City’s nine casinos. The 2006 New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act allowed a smoking exemption for casinos, permitting them to allocate up to 25% of their gaming area for smoking.
This legislation, which prohibited indoor tobacco usage in nearly all other workplaces, did not necessitate physical barriers to distinguish smoking areas from non-smoking ones. Consequently, secondhand smoke permeates the regions designated as smoke-free.
Members of CEASE assert that their constitutional rights under New Jersey law are being infringed. They reference a part of the New Jersey Constitution stating, “All persons are by nature free and independent, and have certain and unalienable rights, among which are … pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.”
A legal case filed by CEASE alongside the United Auto Workers, representing various casino staff including table game dealers, slot attendants, technicians, casino hosts, and cashiers, is currently underway.
Governor Seeks Resolution
In a recent discussion with the Press of Atlantic City, Sherrill refrained from endorsing a specific stance on the smoking controversy but expressed optimism for a timely resolution.
“There’s litigation in process, but we need legislation,” Sherrill commented.
“I’ve heard from workers across the spectrum: some advocating for a smoking prohibition while others voice concerns about potential business impacts. My priority is to ensure that we safeguard worker health while simultaneously promoting job retention and economic growth in the area,” the governor elaborated.
The casinos of Atlantic City are unitedly advocating for their existing indoor smoking rights through the Casino Association of New Jersey. They contend that a ban on smoking could drive gamblers to Philadelphia, where smoking is still allowed at many gaming venues.
With the imminent competition from three casinos set to open in downstate New York, the Atlantic City casino lobby argues that now is not the appropriate time to impose regulations that could jeopardize both the city’s gaming industry and economic prospects.
Trends in Smoking in the US
According to the American Lung Association, the smoking rate among adults has plummeted by 73% from 1965 to 2022. Notably, there was a 17% decrease between 2017 and 2022 alone. The advocacy group indicates that there are 56 million Americans who have successfully quit smoking.
Nonetheless, approximately 29 million individuals still smoke in the United States. As smoking trends decline, the tobacco industry has shifted focus to nicotine pouches, generating significant revenue through this smokeless alternative.